Albuquerque – The Sierra Club announced the endorsement of Martin Heinrich for election to the U.S. Senate. Heinrich earned the Sierra Club’s endorsement after a comprehensive evaluation of his environmental record.

"Throughout his career, Martin Heinrich has been an indispensable ally to those who champion the preservation of our natural environment and has proven time and again that he won’t back down to the polluters who wish to tear down decades of sound environmental policy,” said John Buchser, chair of the Rio Grande Chapter of the Sierra Club.

As head of the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance, Heinrich brought ranchers, Native American leaders and environmentalists together to win federal protection for more than 11,000 acres in the Ojito Wilderness. He served the state as Natural Resources Trustee, working to restore contaminated public lands using funds seized from environmental polluters.

Heinrich served on the Sierra Club's Rio Grande Chapter executive committee, combining his enthusiasm for nature with his commitment to public service. He trekked thousands of miles across the Southwest as a guide and as executive director of the Cottonwood Gulch Foundation, an environmental education and outdoors program for youth.

"As a member of Congress, Representative Heinrich has been an outstanding environmental champion during a period in which environmental issues faced steep and vicious opposition from well funded corporate opponents," said Sierra Club President Robin Mann. "The Sierra Club proudly throws its weight behind Martin Heinrich's candidacy for U.S. Senate."

Heinrich has been an important leader on social justice issues of concern to the Sierra Club, including the DREAM ACT, which he co-sponsored. He is a tireless job creator who understands that the road to a revitalized economy starts with clean energy jobs.

"Martin Heinrich has sponsored legislation that helps create the next generation of young environmental leaders, and he has shown a strong desire to get families and young people outside – playing, learning and working," said Kristina Ortez de Jones with the Sierra Club in New Mexico.

Nationwide, Heinrich is the Sierra Club's first endorsement of the 2012 federal election cycle. The Sierra Club will mobilize its more than 1.4 million members and supporters nationwide – including nearly 8,000 in New Mexico – to support endorsed candidates who have demonstrated pro-environmental records and platforms.

Paid for by the Sierra Club Political Committee, www.sierraclub.org, and authorized by Martin Heinrich for Senate.